Spring Lake Officer Fires at Suspect

Spring Lake, N.C. — A Spring Lake police officer has been placed on administrative leave after he fired his weapon at a man Sunday during an arrest, police said.

Officer Jose Garcia was serving a warrant on Shawn Smith, 36, of 106 Rupe St., at about 3 p.m. Sunday when Smith fled on foot, said Spring Lake Police Chief A.C. Brown.

Garcia chased Smith, and Smith pulled out what appeared to be a weapon, Brown said. Garcia fired his .40-caliber Glock pistol at Smith, wounding him, Brown said.

Brown said he didn't know how many shots were fired or if a weapon had been found at the scene.

Smith's condition was unknown Monday afternoon.

The State Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the incident.

Garcia has been with the Spring Lake Police Department for several months and has about three years experience in law enforcement, Brown said.